Wasteland Development Diary

As the temperature dropped for the first time, Sandport was hit by persistent thunderstorms and strong winds.

The gale-force winds blew a large amount of Dead Sea haze towards the land, which suddenly reduced ground visibility and caused a series of problems.

The air purifier Max issued a warning: "The air quality index has reached level six. Healthy people experience reduced exercise tolerance and obvious severe symptoms, with the early onset of certain diseases."

"It is recommended that children, the elderly, and the sick stay indoors, avoid physical exertion, and the general population avoid outdoor activities."

The mechanical and electrical doctor, Da Vinci, gave an even harsher warning: "The harm of this summer's severe weather has exceeded that of the last autumn fog. The Dead Light concentration in the near-Dead Sea area has increased by 11.1% compared to the usual average, and the inland oasis belt has also increased by 5.2%. Even with the building-life organisms of Maria Hospital blocking it, the Dead Light concentration in the wards has increased by 0.1%."

"The increase in Dead Light concentration is accompanied by increased energy radiation, which will exceed the existing human physiological threshold and may cause problems such as soreness, redness, swelling, bleeding, and even organ failure in flesh and blood life forms."

"It is recommended that everyone stay indoors in buildings or mushroom houses as much as possible. Buildings can effectively block and absorb Dead Light, reducing the physiological burden on the human body."

In fact, weather satellites had issued a warning three days earlier.

Zhou Yi had also convened the heads of various departments early in the morning to make contingency plans for the disastrous weather.

The simultaneous occurrence of thunderstorms and strong winds made Emerald City look like it was submerged by the Dead Sea. Flashes of lightning and thunder rumbled from time to time, and the surrounding visibility was very low.

Fortunately, with last year's experience, the response this time was much faster.

All light soot workers and outdoor employees stayed home to rest.

The company's underground granary was stocked with sufficient food.

Staple foods included sweet potatoes, wheat flour, peanuts, dried mushrooms, etc., as well as pickled Chinese cabbage and radishes. The underground freezer also stocked a lot of chicken and fish, which could completely meet the food needs of employees for a long time.

The water supply was a little more troublesome.

During last year's foggy days, many people still went to fetch water. After all, not everyone could live in Emerald City and have tap water available.

Fortunately, now there was the Dead Sea Canal, which diverted part of the river water to the reservoir. In addition to being used for farmland irrigation, it also completed the diversion of water to the residential area.

So now people only needed to go out a few steps to collect drinking water, which was much more convenient than running to the oasis to fetch water in the past.

Zhou Yi contacted Sandsea Duke as soon as possible to inquire about the situation in the west of Sandport.

"Not a big problem."

Sandsea Duke said, "The wind blew down some trees and collapsed an old warehouse storing dry cattails, injuring 4 people, but otherwise it's okay."

"I estimate it won't be long before it rains heavily. When that happens, the city will have to deal with drainage problems."

Then Zhou Yi contacted several other territorial sea lords.

Treeherd Duke said: "Tree Monster Territory has only lost some fruits. Because the Dead Light concentration has increased, a large number of ripe fruits have rotted, and some fish have also died. But this is normal, that's how natural disasters are."

Bedouin Duke's territory was basically unaffected.

The reconstruction of Shell City after the war incorporated a large number of mushroom houses. After more than half a year of growth and development, those mushroom houses were tall and strong, becoming natural windbreaks, effectively protecting all parts of the city.

Steelforge City encountered a considerable challenge.

"The steel mill's blast furnace cannot operate and can only be temporarily shut down."

"The refrigeration box factory has just been built, but this time the strong wind directly collapsed half of it and injured a worker."

Steelforge Duke was a little depressed: "The mine was also affected by strong winds and landslides. We're really unlucky this time. But we can handle it, please rest assured that it will not affect the construction period of the refrigeration boxes."

Although everyone had their ups and downs, it was generally under control.

Zhou Yi opened the satellite view on the tablet.

Various areas near Sandport had varying degrees of natural disasters, but they were basically thunderstorms, strong winds, or rainstorms, and the direct damage was not high.

Zhou Yi had to zoom out the map and expand the search area.

The hurricane event in Shell City last time made him discover a pattern—disasters are actually a kind of opportunity and variable. The power of nature will force some places to make changes.

If he could find disaster-stricken areas, he might have a good opportunity to promote and sell the company's products.

Now the mechanical and electrical city-states were imposing sanctions, the economy was declining, and he had to find some ways to generate income.

Kestrel reminded: "Zhou, there is an opportunity in one place."

Zhou Yi saw a not-so-small piece of land located on the screen.

It showed high-temperature signs and had suffered a severe locust plague.

Two Rivers Region.

"The destructive power of locust plagues is difficult to deal with even for Skywalkers without targeted abilities."

"These insects themselves have a strong Dead Light tolerance and a wide area of dormancy. Once they appear, it means they have spread throughout the area. If indiscriminate attacks are used, all plants in the entire area will be endangered."

Zhou Yi thought for a while: "But can we solve this locust plague?"

"Yes."

Kestrel said: "You forgot, we still have a huge biological army."

Zhou Yi immediately came to his senses: "Sand Rats."

"Not just Sand Rats, but also Coal Shell Bugs and Drill Rats."

Kestrel said: "Insects have always been on their menu."

Zhou Yi felt relieved.

An army raised for a thousand days is used for an hour.

Finally, there was a time when they could be put to use.

The mechanical and electrical rat, Nemo, was sent over by Kestrel.

"Chairman, I understand the situation. If it is to deal with locusts, I have some experience."

"In the past, locust plagues and termite infestations also broke out in Sandport, but they were all wiped out by the Sand Rats. The primary condition for dealing with them is to eliminate the insect eggs laid underground to prevent them from expanding further, and then to strangle the living forces on the ground."

"On the other hand, large-scale locusts will undergo mutation. They will use most of their energy to strengthen their flight and feeding abilities, and their bodies will also be attached with toxicity and odor. However, Sand Rats are not picky eaters, and these insects are still one of the foods of the rat swarm."

"If I go over, I need to bring a part of the Drill Rats. They are strong in drilling and have strong appetites and energy. Then integrate the local Sand Rat population to carry out targeted and concentrated elimination and killing of the local locusts."

"It's just that the whole process takes time, and it is necessary to carry out a scorched earth policy, dealing with it from the bottom up, because the Two Rivers Region is very large."

Nemo has always been cautious.

If it said it could handle it, then it was stable.

Zhou Yi immediately said to Kestrel: "Contact Apple in the Two Rivers Region."

A dozen seconds later.

A slightly familiar voice came from the loudspeaker: "Mr. Zhou, long time no see."

The tone was as polite as ever.

Zhou Yi said: "I noticed that the Two Rivers Region is facing a locust plague. If you need it, I can send someone to help you deal with this problem."

There was a pause on the other side.

"Your company also has experience in dealing with insect pests?"

"A little experience."

Zhou Yi said: "Although I can't guarantee that it can be eliminated quickly, it is always a way."

The latest novel is first published on the sixth and ninth book bars!

"What do we have to pay?" Apple asked.

"Of course, it's money."

"What is your price?"

"Just give a reasonable number."

"Please wait a moment."

Five minutes passed.

Apple said: "According to our calculations, the harm of this locust plague is relatively large, and it is already destroying Harvest City and Upstream City. If your support can take effect and control the locust plague within these two cities, we are willing to pay 5,000 Light Seeds as remuneration. What do you think?"

This price was already good.

"No problem, then I'll come over and give it a try."

Zhou Yi immediately asked Nemo to gather Sand Rats and Drill Rats.

Before long, Emerald City No. 1 Building, carrying 44 Drill Rats and 143 Sand Rats, rose from the ground.

...

More than two hours later, Emerald City landed on a wasteland outside Harvest City.

Zhou Yi looked around and found that it was still scorching hot and severely dry, with sparse and withered grass.

In the distance, he could vaguely see a cloud-like swarm of insects. They did not rush over in one go, but rose and fell like waves, feeding a lot along the way.

Unlike the last time when the whole city was on alert and surrounded by soldiers, this time Apple and two Mountain Dogs came to greet him.

Its main body was indeed a large octopus, placed in a hemispherical glass filled with water, and below it was a mechanical structure with wheels and mechanical arms.

"Mr. Zhou is really decisive and arrives as soon as he says he will."

Apple asked: "What exactly is the method you mentioned..."

Zhou Yi beckoned: "Nemo."

The mechanical and electrical rat led its insecticidal team to assemble outside.

When they saw them, Apple understood almost instantly: "So it is through Sand Rats...but is this number a little too small?"

"They will work with the local Sand Rats to act together, so don't worry."

Zhou Yi immediately ordered: "Time is of the essence, Nemo, start now. Emerald City will meet you here."

"Yes, Chairman."

"Kestrel, you also go to cooperate with Nemo and provide it with real-time data."

"Yes."

Under the navigation of the drone, the mechanical and electrical rat led the rat swarm and rushed towards the locusts.

Four days later.

Apple came to report the good news: "It's amazing! Your company's Sand Rats have blocked the locust swarm in the west, and their expansion speed has been greatly slowed down!"

Zhou Yi had also been observing the situation in front through the tablet these days.

In the satellite view, it could be clearly seen that streams of Sand Rats began to appear on the ground.

They did not collide head-on with the locusts, but first attacked the insects laying eggs from the rear, gradually cutting them off, encircling and eating the small locust swarms first, and then gradually compressing the activity range of the large swarms.

This kind of marching and deployment could be seen at a glance that Nemo was directing behind the scenes.

The local scattered and mutually attacking Sand Rat swarms were quickly assembled and integrated by it.

The order and sociality of the rat swarms were far above those of the locust swarms, so the more the number, the greater the gap between the two sides.

"We have to see more."

Five more days passed.

Kestrel returned to report that the main force of the locust swarm in Harvest City and the underground insect eggs had been eliminated, and only scattered locusts were still scurrying around, and the threat was very small.

Apple sighed: "I didn't expect Mr. Zhou to have research in these areas as well. It seems that we have to pay close attention to environmental and ecological balance issues and need to increase the budget in this area..."

Suddenly it was speechless, as if interrupted by something.

After a while.

Apple suddenly said: "Mr. Zhou, Lord Summit Duke has a million-level Light Seed project and wants to invite you to Harvest City for detailed discussions."

Million-level Light Seed?

This was a big deal.

Zhou Yi said: "Lead the way."